You are here:

Spotted shag/parekareka

Introduction

The spotted shag/parekareka is a medium-sized, grey-blue marine shag with a long, slender bill and yellow-orange feet. Adult breeding birds have small black spots on their back and wings.

Spotted shags/parekareka (Stictocarbo punctatus) are mainly found around the South Island in coastal waters out to 16 km, entering inlets and estuaries to feed and roost. The Marlborough Sounds is a stronghold for the species.

Their status is 'Endemic, Not Threatened'.

Appearance

The spotted shag is a medium-sized, grey-blue marine shag with a long, slender bill and yellow-orange feet. Adult breeding birds have small black spots on their back and wings.

A distinctive curved broad white stripe runs from above the eye down both sides of the neck. They have a black crest on the front and back of the head.

Bare facial skin between the eye and bill turns green-blue before the breeding season. They make loud grunts at resting, roosting and nesting areas, but are otherwise silent.

Adult breeding birds have small black spots on their back and wings

Diet

Their diet consists of small fish and marine invertebrates, including squid and plankton. They feed in deep water up to 16 km offshore. Spotted shags breed in colonies of a few pairs to 700 pairs. Timing varies year to year, depending on food availability.

Nesting and breeding

Spotted shags are monogamous; 3–4 pale blue eggs are laid in a large nest platform made of sticks and vegetation, built on coastal cliff ledges and stacks. Incubation and chick-rearing are shared. Young leave the nest at 62 days.